Delayed a bit, but for good reasons

I originally planned that Become a Real Self-Publisher would have about 200 pages, and would go on sale last May.

The book surprised me, and -- like the character in Uncle Tom's Cabin -- it "growed like Topsy." As I wrote more, I learned more. And as I learned more, I wrote more. The page count ultimately got close to 500 pages, which I knew was much too much.

I've pruned it down to a more reasonable 432 pages, and added an index, which it needs but I had originally planned to skip.

In addition to being both longer and shorter than expected, I am also not reluctant to say it's better than expected. A self-publisher has to be able to toot his own horn, so, "TOOT TOOT, it's a very good book." Fortunately, I am not the only one who likes it.

Here are comments from some previewers who are now in the process of self-publishing -- exactly the kind of people the book is aimed at:

“I am completing my first book and had researched some so-called “self-publishing companies” that are really vanity publishers. I have decided to truly self-publish, and Michael’s book will be of tremendous help to me in the process. The book is wonderful. It’s amazingly complete and detailed. Especially helpful are the sections on book design using Word and his dollar comparisons of self-publishing with some of the vanity and traditional pub-lishers. This book is a must-read for anyone considering self-publishing a book!” —Arlene Miller, M.A., author of The Best Little Grammar Book Ever! www.bigwords101.com

“Michael’s book, Become a Real Self-Publisher, is REALLY useful. He distilled an overwhelming amount of information and resources into one easy-to-use book that should help any aspiring author to achieve the dream of self-publishing more easily and more quickly. From timetables to pricing to common-sense advice, this book is a tre-mendous find for anyone considering self-publishing.” —Ginger Jenks, MCC, CEO of Magellan Enterprises, author of I Bark Because I Do: Bite-Size Lessons for Happier Living

“I am in the process of publishing my first book. Michael’s book is a good addition to my research library. It has a nice conversational style and comprehensive coverage of the major areas involved in self-publication.” —Nick Gretener, publisher of The Vanishing of a Species?

The book is now going through its theoretically final edit by eagle-eyed Sheila, and I'm simultaneously making a few changes. The book should be on sale during the first half of September. The "pub date" will be 9/1/09 and the book will have a 2009 copyright.

The book business follows the pattern of the car business, where cars introduced in the fall are labeled for the next "model year." The schedule has stretched to the point where cars introduced in March of 2009 are considered to be 2010 models.

It has not yet gotten that bad with books, but books published between 10/1 and 12/31 frequently show a copyright date for the following year, so they seem fresher as they age.